Welcome
to St. Philip the Apostle Church!
St. Philip's is a dynamic Catholic community with a
wide variety of ministries, activities and organizations. This site will tell you about who we are and provide you with the information you seek and the contacts you need to participate as a new member or more fully participate as an already active parishioner.
Bakersfield sits at the
southern end of the great San Joaquin Valley, the richest
agricultural region in the world. It also is situated in the southern end of the eight-county Diocese
of Fresno. Like the city itself, St. Philip's has
since seen tremendous growth through the years. Over
the 38 years since our establishment St. Philip's has
grown to 4,000 families. We are one of eight parishes
in Bakersfield and the only one that lies west of Highway
99.
St.
Philip's invites all of our parishioners to be involved
in the daily life of the parish. To that end our parish
staff provides avenues of participation and service.
Worship lies at the very hearts of our community. Thus
Liturgy is a priority. We seek to provide lively, uplifting
and prayerful liturgies. We are in the tradition of
the Church seeking to make liturgical renewal mandated
by the Second
Vatican Council a reality. With highly
gifted and talented musicians, cantors and choirs together
with well-trained liturgical ministers and an active
Art and Environment Team to enhance our church setting,
weekend Eucharistic liturgies are truly the "source
and summit" of
our faith. We encourage active participation by all the
faithful in weekend Masses and other liturgical celebrations
throughout the week.
Our recently constructed Youth
Center has provided great impetus to our program for
teenage parishioners. It has proved a popular gathering
place for educational and social activities and the centerpiece
of a dynamic youth program. One highlight is our monthly
LIFE TEEN Mass which attracts both youth and parents
to a lively liturgy.
St. Philip's provides a
year-round RCIA
(Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) which
enables adults looking for a church home to learn
about the Catholic faith and how it is lived out
in our parish community. This extensive program reaches
out to adults and children as well as Catholics who
have not yet made First
Eucharist or Confirmation.
Our religious education programs go from preschool
and Sunday school through elementary, junior high and
high school to adult education and formation opportunities.
Our Evangelization Ministry
is the umbrella for a wide variety of bible
studies, retreats, support
groups, newcomers'
activities and much more.
This gives only a glimpse into our parish life. I invite
you to take a look at the life of St. Philip the Apostle
Church Community and to be an active member of this wonderful
parish. May God bless you!
Monsignor Ron Swett |
